Electric terminal connector.



F. WAGNER.

ELECTRIC TERMINAL GONNEGTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1913.

v Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

Witnesses Attorneys FREDRICK WAGNER, OF NATRONA, PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC TERMINAL CONNECTOR.

Specification of Letters I atent.

Patented @et. 2'7, 1915:.

Application filed January 2, 1913. Serial No. 739,919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDRICK WAGNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Natrona, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Electric Terminal Connectors, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in electric terminal connectors, the same being especially adapted to be used in connections, whereby the current may be taken from an over-head trolley and the ground rails at any point of the system without interfering with the passage of the cars, the primary object of the invention being the provision of novel hand actuated means to produce a clamp actuated in a plane parallel to the trolley to grip and release the over-head trolley, the trolley offering a sufiicient resistance to assist in the clamping and releasing of the connector.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a perspective view of the trolley engaging connector. Fig. 2 is a view thereof showing the same in the position it assumes when clamped upon the trolley. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the clamping members showing the cam actuating .means in elevation.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the supply conductor which is connected to the trolley engaging member 5, which consists of the two clamping plates 16 and 17, each one of which is provided with the apertured lugs 17 for the reception of the pivoting rod 19, springs 20 being provided to normally hold the lower trolley engaging ends of the plates 16 and 17 spaced or in the position as shown in Fig. 3. The plates 16 and 17 are provided with the recessed projections 21 and 22, connected to the rod 19 and projecting between the projections 21 and 22 is the pin 23 which constitutes the connection and supporting means for the oscillatory head 24 provided with the elliptical boss or elongated projection 25 disposed between the ends 21 and 22.

Under normal conditions with the clamping members 16 and 17 in open position as shown in Fig. 3, the elliptical boss 25 is longitudinally disposed between the recessed projections 21 and22, and is so constructed that when the head 24 is oscillated to assume a position at right angles to. the clamping plates 16 and 17, or as shown in Fig. 2, the projecting ends 21-22 will be separated while the clamping plates 16 and 17 will be moved toward each other to clamp the propulsion or traffic current conductor T, as indicated in Fig. 2.

A rod 26 carrying the trolley wheel 27 is carried by the body 24:, while the stem 27' carrying the insulating handle or sleeve 28 constitutes a means for operating the boss or cam 25 to cause the clamping action upon the members 16 and 17 or to permit the release thereof.

The socketed lug 29 is carried by the plate 17 and has led therefrom the connecting wire 30 which is connected to the stem 27, said stem 27 being connected to the conductor 1 so that the current may be taken from the conductor T when the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings it is evident that with the clamping jaws open and the handle 28 brought in parallel to the trolley ,T, that by moving the handle to the right as "iewed in Fig. 1, the boss or cam 25 will operate to separate the reduced ends 21 and 22 of the clamping members and thus grip such members upon the trolley, the trolley assisting in maintaining the clamp in the desired position during the clamping and releasing operation.

What is claimed is:

A terminal connector, comprising two substantially T-shaped members, the legs of each of which is recessed upon its inner face,

two apertured lugs upon the inner face of the head of each member, a rod fitted,

through all of the lugs and forming a hinge for the members, springs mounted upon the rod and exerting pressure upon the members to separate the aws formed by the hinge of the members, an elliptical cam fitted in the recesses between the legs of the members to be oscillated to spread the legs to close the jaws, and a handle for oscillating the cam connected to the cam for movement in a plane parallel to the rod.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDRICK WAGNER. Witnesses:

J. WM. BITTINGER, FRED WALSH. 

